He was a professor at the University of Chicago, where he developed a yearlong course on Islamic civilizations and served as chairman of the interdisciplinary Committee on Social Thought.

[2] Although Hodgson published sparingly during his life, his three-volume work, The Venture of Islam: Conscience and History in a World Civilization, has become one of the most influential texts in the field.

[9] Historian Richard Maxwell Eaton observed that while Hodgson aimed to decentralize Islamic studies, his “cores” and “peripheries” model introduced inconsistencies.

Eaton suggests that this approach may create an inconsistency within Hodgson’s otherwise inclusive framework, which intended to highlight Islam's role as a dynamic, cross-regional civilization.

According to a critical appraisal of Hodgson's perspective, these terms attempt to capture Islam’s cultural reach but may fall short of conveying the diversity within Muslim societies, presenting challenges in defining complex civilizational identities.

[11] In a broader context, Edward Said questioned Hodgson’s place within the Orientalist tradition, arguing that even frameworks intended to be objective can unintentionally project external views onto non-Western societies.

His concepts continue to stimulate scholarly discussions, leading others to refine and build upon his ideas to enhance understanding of Islamic civilization within a global context.

Scholars like Edmund Burke III continue to engage with Hodgson’s ideas, contributing to the ongoing development of his intellectual legacy.

Spanning from 1940 to 1971, this archive includes correspondence, teaching materials, research notes, and writings that reflect his contributions to Islamic and world history.